Plans to expand the Football League to 100 clubs and introduce a fifth division could have 'potentially fundamental implications' for the National League, according to competition officials.

National League chief executive Michael Tattersall, previously deputy operations director at the Football League, wants to discuss the proposed changes with member clubs including Chester FC as soon as possible.

A statement from the league reads: "The National League has received the discussion paper 'A Whole Game Solution' from The Football League.

"The proposals outlined therein appear to have potentially fundamental implications for our competition, and as such, The National League will consider these carefully in consultation with our clubs and discuss the matter with the game's governing bodies at the earliest opportunity."

Two teams would be promoted from the National League and six other sides would be added to the newly-formed League Three, taking the total number of professional clubs to 100.

The six additional clubs are likely to also come from the National League, potentially meaning the teams finishing 3rd to 8th could be promoted too.

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Chester City were relegated from the Football League in 2008-09 and although the club started the following season in what was then known as the Conference Premier, the Blues plunged into financial chaos and were expelled before being wound up.

City Fans United established phoenix club Chester FC for the 2010-11 campaign and three successive league titles took the Blues from the Evo-Stik League Division One North to the Conference Premier in three seasons.

Ryan Lowe pictured during Chester City's last game as a Football League club against Darlington on the final day of the 2008-09 season (Image: Ian Cooper)

A number of Football League clubs have already railed against Harvey's proposals, fearing they will be financially hit by losing four home games a season.

Accrington Stanley owner Andrew Holt said he saw no merit in the Football League's strategy, and predicted it would be costly to Stanley.

He told Sky Sports News: "I don't recognise it as a sensible plan. We want more games. We'd rather play 50 home games.

"We need revenue. We don't want to lose any games. I don't recognise it as having any sense."

Football league clubs will vote on the changes in June 2017 and a 90 per cent approval rate, or 65 of the current 72 clubs, is required to get the go-ahead.

Although League One and Two clubs are concerned over the financial implications, the biggest obstacle facing Harvey is likely to be persuading Championship clubs to vote, like turkeys for Christmas, in favour of the changes - even though the plan would likely see seven of them relegated in 2019.

The key points of the new proposals:

A five-division professional league of 20 teams each for the 2019-20 season.

The Premier League will be the top division with the Football League administering the next four divisions.

Six new teams will be added, along with two promoted teams from the National League creating 100 professional teams.

Promotion to and relegation from the Premier League will be retained at three places.

No teams will be relegated from the Football League in 2018-19.

Football League clubs will vote on the proposals next summer.

The League Cup will be retained in its current format to include two-legged semi-finals.

The Football League Trophy could include a group structure of three games and a knock-out thereafter.

The Football League Trophy could also include Premier League B teams.

Further discussions are planned on the removal of FA Cup replays, a winter break and the future of the Community Shield.